Michelle Merritt

Portfolio

PortfolioContents

• Charles H. Wright Museum of

African American History

• Detroit Department of Health &

Wellness Promotion

• Marketing Communications, Brand

Architecture and Event Consulting

• Letters of Recommendation

Charles H. Wright Museum

of African American History

Ford Freedom Awards1998 inaugural through 2000

Event production lead for ceremonies honoring Mayor Coleman A. Young & Ambassador Andrew Young, Sammy Davis, Jr. & Gregory Hines, Langston Hughes & Dr. Sonia Sanchez.

The two-day event included a gala, scholar’slecture and reception (at the Detroit Opera House), an essay contest and WXZY-7 and Ford Motor Co. television productions.

1998

Mayor YoungAmbassador Young

1999

Sammy Davis, Jr.Gregory Hines

More Davis & Hines

Introducing my daughter, Kamila toMr. Davis’ daughter, Diane, at the

scholar’s lecture.

2000

Langston HughesSonia Sanchez

Ford Motor Company Sponsors 2001 Ford Freedom Awards

Ford Motor Company Sponsors 2001 Ford Freedom Awards

Langston Hughes to Receive Ford Freedom Award,

Sonia Sanchez Named Ford Freedom Award Scholar

DETROIT, Feb 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Ford Motor Company

(NYSE: F) are pleased to announce that the late Langston Hughes -- one of the most prolific African American writers of all

time -- will be recognized as the 2001 Ford Freedom Award winner over a three-day celebration scheduled for February 21 -

23, 2001, during Black History Month. Sonia Sanchez, poet and activist, has been named as the Ford Freedom Award

Scholar in honor of Langston Hughes and will be in Detroit to play an active role in the three-day celebration.

"Langston Hughes continues to influence and inspire generations of writers and poets. His words lift from the page with

passion and vigor that ultimately soothe because he understood how to give sublime voice to all that we are as African

Americans," said Christy Coleman president and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. "Sonia

Sanchez shared with the world the struggles and triumphs of being a black woman. We grow with her as she explores with

gripping honesty just how difficult, and ultimately liberating, it can be to truly be yourself. It is therefore fitting that she is the

first woman to be honored as a Ford Freedom Scholar.“

Regarded by many as one of the most important and influential African American writer, Hughes was selected to receive the

Ford Freedom Award because of his important contributions to African American literature and the world at large. Hughes

embraced his African American roots with such passion and loyalty, ensuring the longevity of his copious body of work. He

was the second African American to earn his living as a belletristic writer, a credential that illuminates a popular and critically

acclaimed life-long career in writing in every genre.

As the Ford Freedom Award Scholar, Sonia Sanchez will bring the legacy of Langston Hughes to life. As a poet and

activist, Sanchez has been a poignant voice for African American women for several generations with her passionate poems

and works of prose that touch on social issues of modern and past times. She has also mastered the skill of presenting her

poetry in a manner that always sustains the rapt attention of her audiences.

"The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is a fundamental educational resource for one and all," said

Sandy Ulsh, vice president and executive director, Ford Motor Company Fund. "Partnering with the Museum for the Ford

Freedom Awards and many other projects, affords us the opportunity to continue strengthening positive relationships in the

community."

The Ford Freedom Award program was launched in February 1999 to recognize, posthumously, distinguished individuals

who have dedicated their lives to improving the African American community and world at large. Former Detroit Mayor

Coleman A. Young was honored as the first recipient of the Ford Freedom Award in February 1999 for his lifetime achievement

in politics, civil rights and human rights. The Ford Freedom Award Scholar, selected from the same discipline as the recipient,

was former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young.

In 2000, Sammy Davis Jr. was honored as the second recipient of the Ford Freedom Award, with Gregory Hines -- actor,

dancer, choreographer -- as the Ford Freedom Award Scholar.

The Ford Freedom Award celebration will take place over three days. A poetry reading featuring Sonia Sanchez is

scheduled for Wednesday, February 21, 2001, to kick-off the event. The press conference and gala dinner honoring Hughes

will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2001. The Ford Freedom Scholar's Lecture will be held on Friday, February 23, 2001.

Sonia Sanchez will share her views and comments regarding the impact of Hughes' career on African Americans, the literary

community, and the world at large. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the world's largest institution

dedicated to the preservation of African American history and culture.

"This year's Ford Freedom Award and Scholar honor individuals who have influenced and excelled in the area of Arts and

Humanities. Langston Hughes and Sonia Sanchez have moved the world with their words," said Christy Coleman president

and CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The Ford Freedom Award program is made possible by Ford Motor Company.

For information on the Ford Freedom Award program, contact Patricia Jaynes at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African

American History at 313-494-5853 or Gwynne Irvin, Ford Motor Company at 313-323-0646.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

African World Festival

2000

• Served as chair

of the Logistics

Committee.

• Developed event’s first fraud-proof credentialing system for all staff, volunteers, vendors and

contractors.

AWF is known, internationally, as one of the country’s largest outdoor, cultural, “edutainment” celebrations.

African World Festival

2001• Produced the first

AWF kick-off reception fashion show.

• Managed crew, contractors and staff.

• Was also the festival entertainers’ liaison.

BeulahCooley.com

Sharrone Collection

Dr. Charles H. Wright

Awards for ExcellenceProduced first community awards event hosted by former WKBD-50 news anchor, Amyre Makupson.

Honoring:

• Mrs. Shirley Woodson for Arts in Education

• The Hon. Craig S. Strong for Community Activism

• The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute for Health Advocacy accepted by Dr. William P. Peters

• Mrs. Mildred Pitts for Volunteerism

Dr. Charles H. Wright

Awards for Excellence

Recognitionfor producing the Museum’s first

Detroit Mason s’ Family Day

Membership Drive and Parade

Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion

RevitalizedFamily Planning education, outreach and communication program and ensured compliance with State of Michigan requirements.

Detroit Department of

Health & Wellness Promotion

Marketing consulting

Flyer design

Workshop presenter

Conference planning committee member

National Conference

Presentation

Marketing Communications, Brand

Architecture & Event Consulting

Client websites:

http://tenoutoftenllc.com/

http://quenchfab.blogspot.com/

My website:

http://intrinsicmgt.com/

Additional clients include:Art Reflections

Be Amazed! EventsJo’s Gallery of ArtSharrone Collection

(See her designs and tribute at:

http://photos.fuzzytek.com/Fashion/Sharrone-Collection-Fashion-In.)

Marketing Communications, Brand

Architecture & Event Consulting

Letter of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation

Thank you for your time and

consideration in the review of

some of my work and

accomplishments.

Michelle Merritt